A Couple Photoshoot in Menton, French Riviera

Romantic engagement photography in the quieter part of the French Riviera

I’ve taken couples to Menton for photoshoots and they’ve been thrilled that I have because, they tell me, they’d never have discovered it. I’d say its atmosphere is distinct from the rest of the French Riviera – places like Antibes, Nice, and Monaco - where’s there’s more bustle, more noise, stress, and the occasional roar of a supercars - which quickly becomes tiresome.

The waterfront near the view point is modern, clean, and open while the famous yellow zig-zag staircase (known as L'Escalier Jaune or Les Rampes Saint Michel) is positioned just a few yards away. At the top of the staircase are two churches, the one that dominates the skyline of Menton is the St Michel Archange and the other is the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception (or Chapel of the Penitents Blancs), which is usually closed to the public. All these places are very close to one another - so even on a hot day it's a town that's quite easy to explore.

For photoshoots, this area provides access to Menton’s medieval era old town, the cool, narrow streets of which are also perfect photo locations as they’re protected from the bright sun. Despite visiting often, there’s still beautiful parts of the town that I haven’t yet visited including the Jardin Serre de la Madone, the Jardin botanique exotique de Menton ('Le Val Rahmeh'), the Fontana Rosa, the Maria Serena garden, and the modernist gardens of Les Colombières. 

Other popular places for proposals and romantic photoshoots on the French Riviera include Eze village, Nice's Coco beach, and the light house at Cap Ferrat.